H2 Receptor antagonists

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

• Home Treatment
• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

H2 receptor antagonist poisoning is an overdose of an H2 receptor antagonist. H2 receptor antagonists are medications available by prescription and over-the-counter for reducing stomach acid.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• Cimetidine
• Ranitidine
• Famotidine
• Nizatidine

Where Found    Return to top

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Nizatidine (Axid)

Symptoms    Return to top

• Respiratory
  • Difficulty breathing
• Skin
  • Fushing
  • Sweating
• Gastrointestinal
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Rapid heartbeat or slow heartbeat
  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
• Nervous system
  • Tremors
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Slurred speech

Home Treatment    Return to top

DO NOT induce vomiting. Call Poison Control or your local emergency number if an overdose of an H2 receptor antagonist has occured.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• When it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number    Return to top

Call Poison Control or your local emergency number -- they will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Administering activated charcoal
• Administering a laxative
• Emptying the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Administering artificial respiration (breathing) if necessary
• Maintaining adequate respiration rate
• Treating the symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Serious complications are rare.